Quercus virginiana

Quercus virginiana Mill.

Coastal live oak, Southern live oak, Virginia live oak, Live oak, Encino

Synonym(s):

An open-grown live oak is a massive, picturesque, wide-spreading tree with magnificent horizontal and arching branches that form a broad, rounded canopy. A squat, tapering trunk (larger in diameter than that of any other oak) supports the huge, irregular limbs which often rest their elbows on the ground. Dimensions are 40-80 ft. in height and 60-100 ft. in width. Dark-green, waxy, unlobed leaves fall just as new leaves emerge in the spring, making the tree appear evergreen, though the coordinated leaf loss means its not actually a true evergreen.

This is the familiar Spanish moss-covered oak of plantations in southeastern North America. Its massive limbs and persistent, glossy foliage have sustained its popularity as a residential shade tree to the present day. It is rarely found inland except in cultivation, where it becomes semi-deciduous and slower growing than those that receive the moisture-laden winds of the coast. Adequate water is essential to maintaining this tree, though it is fairly drought-tolerant once established within its range. It is, however, quite susceptible to oak wilt where that is a problem, so treating surface wounds and avoiding damage to the roots is important. Though this is the best known live oak, there are a few North American live oak species also popular in residential landscaping, including on the West Coast, California Live Oak (Quercus agrifolia Née), and, in southern Oklahoma, central Texas, and northeastern Mexico, Escarpment Live Oak (Q. fusiformis Small), sometimes regarded as a mere variety of Q. virginiana but currently considered a distinct species. Escarpment live oak has slightly smaller leaves, broadest toward the base, and acorns with cups narrowed at the base (fusiform). It is more drought-tolerant than Q. virginiana and is commonly planted in drier parts of Texas. Both Q. virginiana and Q. fusiformis may send up dense shoots near or far from the trunk from rhizomes, sometimes so thickly that when mowed it looks like a groundcover.

Distribution

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Medium Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade Soil Moisture: Moist CaCO3 Tolerance: None Heat Tolerant: yesSoil Description: Dry to moist soils, whether gravelly, sandy, loamy or clay, but does best in neutral or slightly acidic clay loams; poor drainage okay. Saline tolerant and tolerant of compaction. Conditions Comments: The species tolerates more shade in summer than most oaks because the evergreen leaves can function through most of the winter. Can be damaged by long periods of freezing weather. Fairly drought tolerant once established, but susceptible, among other things, to oak wilt and chestnut blight.

Benefit

Use Ornamental: A very large, long-lived, evergreen shade tree. Use Wildlife: Many species of birds as well as squirrels use the tree for cover and the acorns for food. Use Medicinal: The Houma used some preparation from it to treat dysentery. Use Other: Live oak timber was once important for building ships. The nations first publicly owned timber lands were purchased as early as 1799 to preserve these trees for this purpose. Conspicuous Flowers: yesInteresting Foliage: yesAttracts: Birds , Butterflies Larval Host: Horaces Duskywing, White M hairstreak, Northern hairstreak.

Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)

Propagation

Propagation Material: Seeds Description: Oaks are most often propagated from seed. No pretreatment is necessary. Plant immediately – outdoors or in deep containers to accommodate long initial taproot. Protect outdoor beds with wire mesh to deter rodent predation. Seed Collection: Best quality acorns are picked or shaken from the tree. Collect when color has changed to brown. Best if sown immediately as acorns lose viability quickly in storage. Short-term storage in moist, shaded saw dust or sand. Seed Treatment: Acorns to be sown immediately can be soaked in hot water for 15 min. to prevent weevil infestation. Stored seed should be fumigated with methyl bromide. Commercially Avail: yesMaintenance: Prevent complete soil dryness. Prune to maintain shape. May be pruned 12 mo. out of the year. Fertilize 3 times a year with lawn fertilizer 3:1:2 ratio. Young trees grow quickly and need to be trained if their natural tendency to sprawl is unwelcome.

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Mr. Smarty Plants says

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